A stunning and unique antique circa 1887 quadruple silverplate sculptural lidded bowl with numerous figural elements, with a decorative band depicting ships in a harbor, and an engraved cartouche that reads:
Happy New Year
To
Nat C. Goodwin Jr.
From the
Management, Attaches & Company
Of the
Bijou Opera House
New York, January 1st 1887

Nathaniel “Nat” C. Goodwin was a well-known American actor and vaudevillian who was active from the 1870s to early 1900s. He started his career in Boston and performed all over the US, he did a tour in London and returned to New York for a extended run at the Bijou Opera House in 1886-1887, this piece probably commemorates the end of that run, but it certainly wasn’t the last time he worked at this particular opera house. There are a few mentions in the New York Times in 1887 about his run at the Bijou, printouts of these will be included with this piece. The Bijou Theatre and Opera House was one of the original Broadway theaters, Active from the 1870s until the building was torn down in the 1910s.

This piece is in amazing condition for its age, no damage or broken figural elements, no dents, there is a slight waviness to the base where a dent was repaired, but this is only obvious if you look closely, and one small bump behind one of the handles. Right where the handles are on the side, there is a removable lid with a shallow bowl inside. I’m not entirely sure what this hidden compartment was for originally, but it means this piece can be displayed as a large sculpture, or separated into two pieces with the bottom piece functioning perfectly as a large fruit bowl or even filled with ice to chill wine/beverages. There are four small holes in the base (beneath where the bowl sits so this piece is still watertight), I believe they’re original to the piece but I’m not entirely sure what purpose they serve. Made by the Meriden B. Co., as marked on the base. What an incredible piece of Broadway history!

Measures 28.5” tall by 14.25” wide across the handles.